Read Online Fatal Deception: Part I by S.R. Burks - Free Book Online Page B

day,” she said to Marc. “I think you might want to show her around the ranch, give her a more thorough tour. It’ll give you both some down time. Don’t you think that’s a good idea, Cain?” She looked over to her husband hinting that she didn’t need him there. He got the clue.
    “I think that’s a great idea,” Cain agreed.
    “That’s okay,” said Deidra. “The crew and I will go back in to town. I’ll just lie down in my room and relax. I don’t want to be a bother.”
    Marc stood there quietly and envisioned her locked up in her room on such a beautiful day as this. “I agree with them, Deidra,” said Marc. “And besides, it’s too pretty a day to be stuck up in some hotel room. And maybe you can go ahead and take a few pictures–in a more relaxed atmosphere.” Marc suggested.
    Deidra appeared to think about it for a moment. “All right, you convinced me,” she conceded with a smile.
    Just then, her crew walked in from outside. She turned to them jubilantly. “Boys! We’re going to call it a day. Let’s take off and pick up tomorrow,” she said.
    The crewmen began to mumble. Josh stared at her for a minute, knowing they were already behind a day, and wondering how many days in a row this was going to happen. But she was the boss, so he resisted the urge to complain.
    Deidra walked out with them to explain she would still be taking a few pictures and maybe do a small interview with Marc, so they wouldn’t get that far behind schedule. She went back to the house happily after watching them drive off. She was finally beginning to feel that things were going her way.
     
     
     
    Chapter 16
     
    Alondra just got out of bed from a very restful sleep and left the guest room in search of Geri. She knocked at her door, but there was no answer. She went to the front of the house and saw Geri just coming in from outdoors. She seemed exhausted and was perspiring.
    “Geri what’s wrong?” Alondra asked, following Geri to the kitchen.
    Geri took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and smiled knowingly at Alondra. “I’m fine. I jog every morning. It relaxes me,” she explained.
    “Oh, okay,” said Alondra, relieved. “Well, I guess I’d better get home. I promised Dad I would. He’ll have a fit if I’m too long. I’m surprised he hasn’t called already.”
    “You don’t want to eat before you go?” asked Geri, not wanting their time to end so soon.
    Alondra turned around and smiled. “I have an idea. Why don’t you come with me to the ranch and let me give you the tour? We can have breakfast there. I’m sure my Aunt Blair made a feast. She’s been cooking enough for the magazine crew.”
    Geri thought it over. Even though she had tried to fight her feelings for Marc, they still remained, and seeing him would be nice. “Okay, that sounds nice,” said Geri. “And I sure would enjoy seeing the lake again.” Geri said.
    Alondra perked up. “You know about the lake?” she asked.
    Geri paused, realizing what she had just blurted out. How could she explain without revealing too much? It would blow everything she had planned right out of the water. She had to think fast. “I told you that I jog. Well, one day I wanted to see how far I could push myself, and I guess I went way too far; found myself well onto your property. I won’t do that again,” she laughed. “But it sure was beautiful. The lake and the peaceful surroundings were my savior that day, let me tell you.” Geri smiled, hoping her ruse had worked and, to her relief, Alondra smiled back.
    Good, thought Geri. She knew she would have to be more careful I the future.
     
    Cain and Blair were in the kitchen when Deidra came inside from seeing her crewmen off. When she passed the living room, she saw Marc inside, staring out of the window. She paused at the doorway silently watching, and taking in the view. She hadn’t noticed before how red his hair was even though it braided back, the front again covered with a